North, Colonel John T

Notes:

Colonel John North, 1842-96, established in 1871 an agency house at Iquique, then part of Peru but later Chile, importing goods, especially for the local nitrate extraction and exporting industry which sent this natural fertiliser largely to Europe. Also acted as agents for European businesses and invested in local businesses. By early 1880s gained control of Chile's nitrate deposits and extraction and realised these interests by promoting companies in London. Accumulated huge wealth and became known as 'The Nitrate King'. In addition developed other businesses notably North's Navigation Collieries (1889) Ltd in South Wales